The Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers is celebrating its 125th anniversary at Plymouth Athenaeum throughout November 2016. The union’s pop-up exhibition reviews Usdaw’s social history and showcases campaigns then and now in the areas of safer workplaces, better conditions, improved pay and fairness at work. The exhibition is free, open to all and offers a fascinating insight into the rights of shopworkers through the years.
One hundred and twenty five years ago, representatives of workers met in Manchester and Birmingham to establish the trade unions which would, in 1947, amalgamate to become the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.
John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “From our earliest days we have always been involved in campaigning and in our second century we’ve modernised, become more advanced and turned Usdaw into 'The Campaigning Union'.
“We have a solid record of involving members in evidence based campaigning to improve working lives. From raising health and safety standards, to promoting a good work/life balance; from fighting for a legal minimum wage, to demanding equal pay for work of equal value.”
The exhibition will travel to venues throughout the UK during 2016 and be hosted by Association of Independents Libraries (AIL) member libraries, public museums and the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 440,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
Plymouth Athenaeum http://plymouthathenaeum.co.uk was founded in 1812, and since 1819 has been on our present city centre site. The 1819 building, known as 'The Athenaeum,' was destroyed in the 1941 blitz, together with the museum, library and lecture room. Membership of the Athenaeum is open to all who are interested in the study and promotion of the Arts, Literature, Science and Technology. Members are encouraged to enjoy this wide range of interests. The current building was opened in 1961, when our name was changed from 'The Plymouth Institution' to 'The Plymouth Athenaeum'. It includes a local interest library, lecture room, large lounge and a 340 seat auditorium. The Athenaeum is self-supporting and self-governing.
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion